Why Vecna?

[Maelphistez]

This might be somewhat helpful.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savage_Tide

It shows the Isle of Dread was introduced into Greyhawk in the 4th installment (January 2007) of the Savage Tide AP. If the Isle of Dread can make it into Greyhawk, I see no reason why Vecna couldn't make it to the Isle of Dread.

That's an interesting find Arkat. That suggested campaign path has you moving directly from the Saltmarsh series to the Isle of Dread which is interesting because Saltmarsh was very much originally set in Greyhawk, while IoD wasn't placed there directly until 5e.

[Arkat]

Possible: There is a massive book put out in 2018 by Goodman Games on the Isle of Dread including multiple versions of the module. I watched a video review of this but I have not yet purchased this pricey little gem just yet and the only version I could find online was clearly a pirated version that I wasn't willing to download. There may be more information here, but I don't know.

Do you have a link to this video review? I'd like to watch it.

Thanks.

[Memnir]

Why is Vecna here?

I'm guessing it's because WotC greenlit SSG to use him - and this was the nearest expansion to that lit-ing.

[Annex]

I'm looking as well because... well.. I'm a nerd. I have found some mentions and I've been working to track those down.

Most likely: The D&D Wiki lists the contents of a D&D Next playtest package dated 20130128 that includes the adventure Isle of Dread. So far, I've been unable to locate this pdf in its entirety. I did however stumble across (and I'm not direct linking to it because it was fairly well buried) a PDF of the Isle of Dread dated 2012 which appears to be an excerpt from that package and has the "do not distribute" tag across the top. Ok, here is why I think this is the most likely basis for the retcon mentioned above: In the section title "Alternative Hooks" which aims to give DMs a way to start their characters on the IoD adventure, one of the possible hooks is titled "Flee the Domain". In this alternative scenario, it is stated that the island has been detached from reality and set adrift in space and time as a form of cosmic punishment for the "bad race" (I say that because I have no idea if SSG means to introduce them to the game here) worshiping demons. It states:

"...the isolation is'a form of cosmic justice that punishes the *bad race* for their evil by trapping them in a so called 'Domain of Dread.'"

The phrase "Domain of Dread" refers specifically to the Demi-plane of Dread, commonly known by its most famous domain... Ravenloft. I found absolutely no mention of Vecna in this version however by either reading it or word searching the file.

Possible: There is a massive book put out in 2018 by Goodman Games on the Isle of Dread including multiple versions of the module. I watched a video review of this but I have not yet purchased this pricey little gem just yet and the only version I could find online was clearly a pirated version that I wasn't willing to download. There may be more information here, but I don't know.

Thank you, Maelphistez! Your research definitely bore more fruit than mine. I will keep looking.

[leesun]

Vecna use to be trapped in the Domains of Dread, but managed to escape towards the end of 2E in Die Vecna Die after ascending from demi-god to full on god via devouring Iuz. The domain he ruled over no longer exists.

[Maelphistez]

Do you have a link to this video review? I'd like to watch it.

Thanks.

Hey Arkat, there are quite a few out there but the one I watched is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psWXNrzWA34&t=926s

[LightBear]

Some more lore about Vecna:

[Certon]

I'm 99.99% sure WotC would not go for a Vecna - Tomb of Horrors connection.

The bad guy in ToH is Acererak, not Vecna.

I believe Acererak was an apprentice to Vecna.

[Maelphistez]

I believe Acererak was an apprentice to Vecna.

This is correct. In fact, he was Vecna's only apprentice.

[fatherpirate]

Because SSG has a serious lack of imagination?
It was easier to just copy some major villain than to invent their own.

Just look at the quest givers on boarder lands,
lined up neatly like some army processing station.

SSG either converts someone else's work or if they
can not do that, they just lump everything together as simply as possible.

They do this to speed production, but it is also why everything looks redundant.

This game could be a LOT better but they just
don't have the employee workforce to do it.

[Mithrielwielder]

Because Vecna was the boss featured in Stranger Things Season 4, which came out at the same time DDO issued Isle of Dread. Season 4 made Kate Bush a gazillionaire because her 1984 song Running Up That Hill was featured in the show, so it was the first song to hit #1 on the charts more than 30 years after first being released.

[Havocthedemon]

Because Vecna was the boss featured in Stranger Things Season 4, which came out at the same time DDO issued Isle of Dread. Season 4 made Kate Bush a gazillionaire because her 1984 song Running Up That Hill was featured in the show, so it was the first song to hit #1 on the charts more than 30 years after first being released.

A bigger reason is that Venca was made hugely popular in Critical Role - which is a major reason D&D has such momentum right now as an IP, which DDO still benefits from as a side effect of being a part of that IP. Honestly I would have no idea who Vecna is without CR as a reference and I’ve been played DDO since 09 and 1st ED in paper (mostly Greyhawk). Even though WOTC is prepping for 5.5 lots of their lore and movements have ripples and it would be stupid for SSG not to pounce on all the marketing and use the familiar settings their target audience becomes acquainted with by being a part of this IP.

[Oxarhamar]

Because SSG has a serious lack of imagination?
It was easier to just copy some major villain than to invent their own.

Just look at the quest givers on boarder lands,
lined up neatly like some army processing station.

SSG either converts someone else's work or if they
can not do that, they just lump everything together as simply as possible.

They do this to speed production, but it is also why everything looks redundant.

This game could be a LOT better but they just
don't have the employee workforce to do it.

Or they are taking it from DND lore you know what the game is based on most likely getting directions from WOTC in licensing agreements with each expansion

The game could be a lot worse

YW